Thankful Thursday 3/31/11

Just a quick thought for today...being grateful for something I take for granted...

So I have not been at my best "thankful" self this week. Sick kids, doctors for them, doctors for me...what a way to spend Spring Break.

But what if I were among the millions of people without health insurance? Would I hesitate to take my sick children to the doctor? Not be able to afford the medications that keep my Relapsing Polychondritis at bay?

So I'm taking a moment to give thanks for our family's health insurance, and my job that provides it.

What do you take for granted?

You can link up with The Bug!

Great Grandparents- A Layout

This picture was taken at my daughter's 8th birthday party this past December. With her are her GREAT grandparents!

Supplies

Paper- October Afternoon, Fancy Pants

Flowers- Prima

Misc. ribbon and eyelets

Sketch from Pencil Lines:

Achieving Calm, One Decision at a Time

I thought it was time for an update on how I'm doing with my "calm" resolution. As my One Little Word for 2011, I sometimes struggle to keep that thought at the front of my mind. Reflecting on the past couple of weeks, I am realizing more and more that calm is not something to be achieved by a life-altering change or major overhaul of anything. It comes in the day to day moments and little decisions that I consciously make. I am in charge of my behavior and reactions. Here's a few examples:

• My youngest daughter came home with a huge pile of stories and pictures she had done at school over the past few months. She scattered them all over the coffee table. I left them there for about a week, intending to go through each one and decide on a couple to keep for her scrapbook. The mess was getting to me, and the pending task was sounding less and less fun. I ended up throwing the whole lot into the recycle bin. I already have some of her work saved, and I'm sure she'll be bringing home more. Such a little thing that I let add to my stress. No more! Done.
• This past weekend I let the dinner dishes sit and played a board game with my family instead. Now, leaving a dirty kitchen is nothing new here, but this time I honestly let it go, guilt and obsession-free. I made a conscious decision to spend time with my family versus cleaning, and let myself feel good about that decision.
• I stayed out of a conversation on FaceBook that really had me riled up. The discussion was not appropriate for FaceBook, so I let it go.
• The hubs and I had tickets to go to a hockey game. We had an overnight babysitter for the kids, and people were expecting us. When it came down to it, neither of us really felt like going. Normally I would have insisted we go anyway, out of some sort of sense of duty or obligation. After a brief discussion, we spent the evening together, just us, instead. Went out to dinner and watched a movie at home. We even held hands! Definitely worth it, and it built up my "calm" stores.
• One morning last week we were rushing around as usual to get to the bus on time. My youngest daughter had put on a very interesting outfit, one I normally would in NO way let her wear to school. Normally I would freak a little and insist she change, making us even later and more stressed. But it was clean and weather-appropriate, so I took and deep breath and said, "Whatever. It's fine". And meant it. 

Image source: Found by Google Image search. URL  http://www.reformschoolrules.com/pc/barbkskpcalm/art101/Keep+Calm+And+Carry+On+Poster

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?

Project 365: Week 12

 Sunday- Time to change the front door decorations!

Monday- My daffodils have been up for about a week now. I'm wondering where this guy came from though, because all my other ones are all yellow!

Tuesday- No time for a lunch break today, so I'm eating in the car.

Wednesday- Another co-worker celebrating a birthday. These are Key-Lime cupcakes!

Thursday- Morgan showing off her "published" book at her school's Literacy Night.

Friday- Viv was concentrating so hard on this writing workbook. The funny thing is, she's doing it for FUN.

Saturday- An unexpected, but appreciated, visit from my nephew!

There's a sampling of the 35 shots I took this week. Enjoy your day, and thanks for visiting!

Winter Park- A Layout

In "honor" of snow returning to my area after a few days of 70 degree weather, I'm posting this layout of a winter trip to the park!

Supplies:

Paper- My Mind's Eye

Transparency- Hambly

Doily strips- Basic Grey

Notecard- Prima

Alpha- Sizzix die cuts

Glimmer Mist- Coffee Shop, Spun Silver, Old Lace

I used this sketch from Sketchy Thursdays as a starting point:

I hope your weekend will be warmer than mine! Thanks for stopping by.

Thankful Thursday 3/24/11

This week I've been proud of my kids, and proud of the job my husband and I are doing as parents.

This past Saturday the girls asked if we could go on a "Trash Walk"- picking up garbage in our neighborhood. They said they wanted to help keep our Earth clean!

I am thankful to be raising sweet, thoughtful, environmentally-conscious kids.

Making Valentines- A Layout

This year, filling out Valentines for classmates was quite the production. Each card was inspected and read carefully in order to choose just the right one for each person. My girls were careful to not send the wrong message to certain boys. Less than friendly girls did not get cards that said "BFF". And on and on and on. It was exhausting, but made for a cute layout!

I started with this sketch from PencilLines:

 

Supplies:

Paper- Basic Grey

Cardstock- CM

Die Cuts- Girls' Paperie

Flowers- Prima

Heart punches- CM

Viva Pink Glimmer Mist

Vellum title- CM

Adhesives- Helmar Adhesive Runner and 450 Quick Dry